Consultation description

Please note that the deadline has been extended to 6 November 2015.

Consultation is now open on the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (SMI) national user manual template. The template contains standard headings and suggestions for how to populate each heading. The template is not related at this time to any specific syndrome or condition, however it is planned that worked examples of use will follow in the next phase of development. In order to reflect the needs of all potential users, the working group has decided to ask for opinions on basic content at an early stage of document production.

The remit to produce the user manual has been undertaken by the Standards Unit following consultation with users and will supersede the syndromic algorithms. When complete, the user manual should deliver significant benefits including:

standardisation of user manuals across the UK

best use of laboratory services which will improve

antimicrobial stewardship

patient outcomes

public health outcomes

use of resources

compliance with UKAS accreditation standards

In addition to any general or specific comments that you may have, we would appreciate feedback on the following points:

Is the proposed layout of headings appropriate; could this be organised in a more user friendly way?

Do the scope and suggestions for each heading cover all user requirements; are there any gaps?

If you need any more information on this initiative please contact the Standards Unit.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@phe.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

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